The $300 Canon Electronic Viewfinder EVF-DC1 is a pricey add-on, but it's worth it for certain Canon cameras.

The Canon Electronic Viewfinder EVF-DC1 ($299.99) adds what's missing to some of Canon's better compact cameras—a real viewfinder. It's currently compatible with a handful of models, but expect that to expand as Canon introduces new cameras. An EVF is useful when shooting in bright light, as it's easier to see than a rear LCD, and also comes in handy when shooting at telephoto distances or at longer focal lengths, as holding a camera to your eye results in a steadier shot.

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DesignThe EVF-DC1 slides into the hot shoe of compatible cameras. Currently those are the G1 X Mark II, the G3 X, and the EOS M3. Electrical contacts are built into the shoe mount, transmitting both data and power to the unit.

The EVF itself measures 1.6 by 1.3 by 2.2 inches (HWD) and weighs about 1.5 ounces. You won't notice the weight it adds to your camera, but it does stick out of the top to an extent when mounted. It firmly locks in place, and requires you to hold a button down while removing it. A toggle switch on its left side changes the viewfinder mode. You can set it to always on, always off, or to utilize the eye sensor, which is its default behavior.

There's a diopter adjustment on the bottom—you'll need to tilt the EVF up to adjust it—so you can use it without glasses. I wear glasses and keep them on while shooting, and had no complaints with the EVF in that regard. A sliver of the far sides was obscured, but I was able to see most of the frame without issue.

The EVF itself is an LCD with 2.36 megapixels of resolution. Canon doesn't state how big the panel is, but it's a little smaller than some I've seen in recent mirrorless cameras. Still, it's very sharp, and when coupled with frame magnification it allows for very precise manual focus.

The viewfinder can tilt all the way up to 90 degrees, so you have some freedom when using it. That's good news when working at a low angle on a tripod, as you won't have to get down on the ground to look through the viewfinder. One downer is that the viewfinder can't be locked in place; at the very least it should lock when at its standard eye-level position.

ConclusionsThe Canon Electronic Viewfinder EVF-DC1 is a solid add-on viewfinder. If you're feeling limited by only being able to frame shots using the rear LCD of your G1 X Mark II, G3 X, or EOS M3, it's a worthwhile purchase. It's sharp, projects a large enough image to comfortably frame shots, and can tilt up for those times when you want to shoot from a lower angle. It may be on the pricey side, but it's a quality EVF that can be used with multiple cameras.

About the Author

Senior digital camera analyst for the PCMag consumer electronics reviews team, Jim Fisher is a graduate of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he concentrated on documentary video production. Jim's interest in photography really took off when he borrowed his father's Hasselblad 500C and light meter in 2007. He honed his writing skills at re... See Full Bio

Canon Electronic Viewfinder EVF...

Canon Electronic Viewfinder EVF-DC1

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